County to Close Ocean Ave. Bridge Between Belmar and Avon

Construction will close the Ocean Avenue bridge spanning the Shark River between Belmar and Avon for two consecutive nights, the Monmouth County Department of Public Works reports.

The bridge will be closed to all motor vehicle and pedestrian traffic from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. on Monday, April 4 and is expected to continue between the same hours on Tuesday, April 5. The work is reportedly weather dependent.

"The Shark River bridge repair project is part of the county's efforts to responsibly maintain its bridge and roadway infrastructure and to keep traffic moving," Freehold Deputy Director John Curley said in a press release.

This two evening closure comes in the midst of a long-term rehabilitation project at the Shark River crossing of Main Street (Route 71) by the New Jersey Department of Transportation. During this time, the only means of passing the Shark River will be by the Route 35 bridge.

The Main Street bridge has been closed to all motor vehicle and pedestrian traffic since Oct. 7. The $17.8 million project, which also includes improvements to the Route 88 Bridge in Point Pleasant, is scheduled to conclude by May 1.

"The county understands the inconvenience these detours will have on motorists and local residents," John W. Tobia, director of the county's Department of Public Works and Engineering, said in a press release. "Unfortunately, this work cannot be completed without the nighttime closure of Shark River bridge."